Student Perspectives: #TimesUp Academia: Harassment of Graduate Students in the World of Academia

07/17/2018

by Kristen N. Gray, M.A. and Chelsea M. Cogan, M.A.

“The clock has run out on sexual assault, harassment, and inequality in the workplace. It's time to do something about it” (TimesUp, 2017). The #TimesUp movement began and continues to gain popularity as an action-driven cause aimed at ending inequality between men and women within the workplace. It also focuses on eliminating sexual and gender-based harassment and assault. The movement coincided with #MeToo, effectively highlighting the widespread prevalence of gender inequality and harassment as well as promoting change. The movement originated in the film and movie industry workplace following multiple sexual assault and harassment cases. Immediately following the original letter calling to end assault, harassment, and inequality, the Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Farmworker Women’s Alliance) responded in solidarity signifying that #TimesUp applies to myriad workplace environments. A nationally representative study of more than 2,000 individuals found that, in the past year, more than 60 percent of women and more than 60 percent of men have experienced general harassment and more than 50 percent of women and 40 percent of men have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace (Rospenda, Richman, & Shannon, 2009), indicating that these problems are pervasive.